Forgery Suit: Senate Issues Fresh Summon On AGF

The Senate, through its committee on Judiciary,
Human Rights and Legal Matters, on Tuesday,
issued a fresh summon to the Attorney – General
of the Federation, who is also the Minister of
Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami.
Malami was being invited by the senate for
instituting a forgery case against the presiding
officers of the upper chamber, and two top
management staff of the National Assembly.
The senate had first summoned Malami, following
a motion moved by Senator Dino Melaye,
representing Kogi West Senatorial District, who
relied on order 14 and 52, to demand the
approval of his colleagues for his two prayers
including the invitation of the AGF and the
genuineness of the rule book.
The senate, had approved the two prayers
through voice votes while Deputy Senate
President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the
session, asked the Judiciary, to summon Malami,
within 48 hours and interrogate him on the issue.
The red chamber therefore mandated its panel to
within two days summon the AGF to explain and
justify with evidence the basis for his action.
The senators also wanted the committee to find
out from Malami to tell them, whether his action
did not constitute gross misconduct,
incompetence, contempt of court and abuse of
office.
Malami, did not honour the invitation of the
senators last week Thursday, but sent a letter to
the committee, stating his reasons for his
absence.
The senate panel in its fresh summon dated June
27 and signed by its Chairman, Senator David
Umaru, asked Malami to appear before it on
Thursday, by noon.
Part of the letter, a copy of which was obtained
by our correspondent on Tuesday, reads,
“I write with reference to your (AGF)
correspondence on the above subject matter with
Ref. HAGF/NASS/ZOIG/Vol.1/24, dated 23rd
June, 2016, whereby you requested for an
adjournment of the meeting of the Committee,
which was supposed to hold on Thursday, June
23, 2016, to enable you prepare your response.
“The Committee has considered your request and
having regard to the reason adduced, acceded to
the request for an adjournment.
“Accordingly, the meeting is now scheduled to
hold on Thursday 30th June 2016 at 12 noon
prompt.
“The venue is Senate Meeting Room 31.3, 3rd
Floor, New Senate Building, National Assembly
Complex. You are by this letter invited to appear
before the mentioned place above.”
The senate at plenary on Tuesday, after a two-
hour closed session, summoned Malami, over the
planned prosecution of Saraki and Ekweremadu,
for allegedly forging the Senate Standing Order
2015.